The LCMS Mission Education team of university students stands in front of the Vltava River in Prague, on their way to worship at St. Michael Lutheran Church. (Becca Helge)
Rachel Franke is pursuing her Bachelor of Arts in German and Classical Education at Hillsdale College, Hillsdale, Mich., graduating in May 2027. While at school, she attends St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, sings in the church choir and serves as Media Director for the Hillsdale College Lutheran Society. As a military child, she had the opportunity to live and travel around the globe, which sparked a passion for language and culture. After completing her undergraduate degree, she plans to pursue a master’s in applied linguistics or German studies before becoming a teacher or missionary. In March 2025, she served on an LCMS Mission Education team of university students to the Czech Republic.
By Rachel Franke
While my friends planned a road trip to Florida, I unexpectedly chose to spend my spring break on an LCMS Mission Education trip to the Czech Republic. Although it was a daunting prospect, it was a truly eye-opening and life-changing week, during which I saw God at work every day. If you’re a college student searching for a purpose, here are ten reasons why you should take the leap to serve on your spring break.
1. Travel, live and serve with a purpose
Though a sunny beach in Florida might be refreshing, spring break becomes more than just a break on a mission trip. Serving in another country gives each day directed intentionality, rooted in faith toward God and love for others. You’ll come home with more than souvenirs and aesthetic photos – you’ll carry memories of how God worked through you and those you met.
2. Experience a new culture firsthand
On a mission trip, you can immerse yourself in daily life far from home yet feel at home all the same. Share homemade meals (I still dream about that goulash!), learn new customs and be warmly welcomed by both locals and missionaries. Experiencing another culture deepens your empathy, adaptability and appreciation for others. It’s a beautiful reminder that God’s love transcends borders, traditions and language.
The LCMS Mission Education team learns about the history of the Reformation and Counter-Reformation in the Czech Republic, standing in the Old Town Square, Prague. (Ben Helge)
3. Meet Lutheran brothers and sisters in Christ from around the globe
Worshipping, serving and sharing life with fellow Lutherans across the world is a powerful reminder of the global body of Christ. At St. Michael Lutheran Church in Prague, I communed with Czech Lutherans, as well as with believers from Indonesia and Brazil. In Silesia, I shared lunch with a Czech bishop who once served under communism. A mission trip reveals the richness of Christian fellowship and how God works through His church in every corner of the world.
4. Learn about the mission field – in the field
Rather than just reading about missions, live one yourself. I taught English at a local school and participated in English conversation groups for all ages, experiencing both the joys and challenges of cross-cultural ministry. Visiting church plants and learning countless insights from career missionaries deepens your understanding of mission work and may even help clarify whether long-term service is part of your future vocation.
The LCMS Mission Education team spent their last evening in Prague at the home of LCMS missionaries Cody and Aurelie Mock (left), where they shared food and fellowship with missionaries from all over Eurasia. (Ben Helge)
5. Spread the Gospel through word and action
You can bring Christ’s light to others. Not all mission work is preaching verbally. Much of it is building relationships and reflecting Christ’s love in everyday ways. Through conversations, English lessons, sharing meals, playing games with kids or simple acts of kindness, you can help bridge the gap between a person and the Church, opening the door for conversations about Jesus’s love with you, a missionary or a local church member.
6. Use your God-given gifts to serve
Everyone has something to offer in the mission field. Whether you’re musically gifted, great with kids, organized or simply a good listener, your God-given skills can be used to bless others. Mission trips give you the chance to use your unique strengths in service to God and His people – often in ways you never expected.
LCMS Mission Education volunteers Rachel Franke (left) and Kayla Korb (right) learn the Czech words for their snacks from third graders at the K4 Church Plant in Havířov, the Czech Republic. Rachel and Kayla met these girls while teaching English at a local school earlier in the day. (Ben Helge)
7. Strengthen teamwork and leadership skills
Mission trips are never solo endeavors. You’ll serve alongside a team of other volunteers and career missionaries – often people you have never met. As you face challenges together, you’ll grow in collaboration, flexibility and leadership. Whether running a task or offering support, you’ll learn to lead, listen and love well, even when things do not go as planned. By the end of the week, you’ll have formed relationships that will last long after your journey home.
8. Unplug and refocus
With a packed college schedule, endless notifications and a world full of distractions, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. A mission trip allows you to step away from essays and Instagram and focus on what truly matters – your identity as a child of God and serving Him and His church. It’s a chance to reset your heart and mind, bringing a renewed sense of clarity into your daily life.
The LCMS Mission Education team teaches English to a first-grade class in Havířov, the Czech Republic. (Ben Helge)
9. Witness “God-moments” every day
Amidst the busyness of life, it’s easy to miss how God is at work. But a mission trip is full of small conversations, unexpected opportunities and glimpses of grace. My trip roommate, Emily, called these “God-moments:” times to pause and see God’s finger at work. From witnessing a third grader hear the Gospel for the first time to the quiet awe of a psalm reflected in a cathedral’s majesty, these “God-moments” show us God’s presence in every detail.
10. Become a witness back home
The mission doesn’t end when you fly home. Your experiences become stories worth sharing, encouraging others to pray, give or go on a mission trip themselves. As a firsthand witness, you help others learn how God is working globally and stir up hearts for global mission. You may be inspired (or can inspire others) to pursue missionary service as a long-term vocation.
In conclusion…
A mission trip isn’t just a week of service. It’s a chance to grow in faith, build lifelong friendships and witness the global church in action. You’ll return with a heart stretched by service, stories of God’s faithfulness and a deeper understanding of your role in His mission. Wherever God calls you next, a spring break spent in service can be the beginning of something much bigger.
Visit lcms.org/servenow to find your opportunity to serve the Lord and His people internationally through the LCMS.